1.
What NT evidence
do we have that God places a high value on local churches?
2.
Are local church distinctives or differences, good or bad?
3.
What do we mean
when we say, CBC is a non-denominational, Bible Church?
4.
What are the
advantages of being part of a Fellowship of churches?
5.
Is local Church
involvement optional for the growing Christian?
6.
Why attend CBC
7.
Why do some people
seem to flourish in a local church and others don’t?
8.
Why become a church
member?
9.
How important is it
that CBC be a “safe place” to grow in Christ?
10.
A Quote Note on Ekkleesia
1.
What NT evidence do we have that God places a high value on local
churches?
The
word “Church” is mentioned over 100 times in the NT, with most
referring to local churches, (Acts 15:41,He went through Syria
and Cilicia, strengthening the churches). Also many of Paul’s
letters are addressed to specific churches such as … to the
churches in Galatia, (Galatians 1:2).
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2.
Are local church distinctives or differences, good or bad?
Some
churches are doctrinal in emphasis, some are more relational,
and some are social or even political in orientation. Our Lord
is a God of creative diversity. Just as God delights in creating
different trees with different leaves and people with
predetermined distinguishing characteristics, so God gives each
local church a special defining personality to reflect His
unchanging Word and character. CBC is a teaching ministry with a
relevant worship style that is organized around discipleship
teams that we call “Focus Groups.”
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3.
What do we mean
when we say, CBC is a non-denominational, Bible Church?
Some
churches choose not be connected to other like-minded churches.
We were founded as a Berean church in 1964 and have been an
active participant ever since. To clarify our mutual
relationship as interconnected churches, the Board of Directors
of the Berean Fellowship of Churches passed a resolution saying
we are a “fellowship and not a denomination.” Though we are
varied in many ways we share a common name, hold a common
constitution, and embrace a common objective in starting
churches. Though we are varied in our backgrounds, styles and
sub-cultures we believe that this enriches us as a fellowship
and as a local church. By "Bible" church we mean that we hold
the Word of God in highest regard and make it central to all our
decisions as a church. We want to reflect the spirit of the
church in the New Testament from which we take our name, Berean.
Acts 17:11, Now the Bereans were of more
noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received
the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures
every day to see if what Paul said was true.)
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4.
What are the
advantages of being part of a Fellowship of churches?
There
are many advantages such as being able to come together to help
start churches nationally and internationally. We can help
struggling churches and pastors. We can find encouragement and
wisdom at our National Convention, Annual Pastor’s Retreat, and
Monthly District Meeting. Also we can jointly participate in the
exciting ministry for all ages at Maranatha Bible Camp. Another
advantage is when local churches find themselves in difficult
times the Fellowship can assist in conflict resolution.
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5.
Is local Church
involvement optional for the growing Christian?
The
following verses from the Bible should help you to answer that
question yourself.
Acts 2:42, They devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and to prayer.
Acts 20:7, On the first day of the week we
came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and,
because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking
until midnight.
Hebrews 10:25, Let us not give up meeting
together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us
encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.
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6.
Why attend CBC?
Maybe
you came to CBC because of a personal invitation, read a
newspaper ad, came across our website, attended one of our
special ministries such as MOPS (Mothers-of-preschoolers), liked
our worship style, were ministered to in a meaningful way when
the Word of God was preached, or simply drove by and saw all the
cars and just dropped in. No matter which door you came in we
desire that each one at CBC come to a spiritual understanding
that they are here to worship God and serve others.
Ephesians 5:17, Therefore do not be foolish,
but understand what the Lord's will is
Colossians 1:9, For this reason, since the
day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you
and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding
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7.
Why do some people
seem to flourish in a local church and others don’t?
Some
won’t get involved and others get over involved. It is important
for you to know who you are and what God has called you to do
and not be a people pleaser but at the same time be a servant.
Some will assume that CBC wants to be just like a favorite
church that they have just moved from. However trying to make a
church like your favorite church, is like trying to make your
wife like your mother. You might be sincere and well intention
but it just doesn’t work. Just as a fish needs to be in the
right place to flourish, some are made to swim in ponds, others
rivers and still others the ocean, we hope that you will find a
place to get spiritual direction so that you can swim where God
wants you to swim.
Ecclesiastes 7:16, Do not be over righteous,
neither be over wise- why destroy yourself?
James 4:13-15, Now listen, you who say,
"Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a
year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do
not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then
vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's
will, we will live and do this or that."
Psalm 92:12-13, The righteous will flourish like
a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted
in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts
of our God.
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8.
Why become a church
member?
First,
we recognize that formal church membership is not a Biblical
requirement for participation in our worship services. It is a
practical matter that the Lord has allowed churches freedom in
developing according to their community and cultural needs. It
is an accepted means to show your commitment to the local church
as well as to publicly show that you desire to be under the
spiritual leadership of this local church and its spiritual
leaders. A cultural illustration that many understand is that of
marriage. Some Christians seem to want to choose a “common law”
type monogamist marriage commitment rather than go through the
“hassle” of a culturally acceptable wedding. Practically, church
membership links you with this local church in a special way and
publicly shows your relationship to us, just as a wedding ring,
shows one's commitment to their spouse.
Acts 2:44-47, “All the believers were
together and had everything in common. Selling their
possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple
courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together
with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the
favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number
daily those who were being saved”
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9.
How important is it
that CBC be a “safe place” to grow in Christ?
When
politics and personality run a church, it is not a safe place.
When law rules rather than when grace flows it is not a safe
place. When sin is not dealt with it is not a safe place. A safe
place is where the Bible is taught and practiced and Christ is
exalted not only in doctrine but also in practice. (CBC is a
non-denominational Bible church that through teams, courageously
builds a safe place for children, youth and adults, who can come
to faith and develop in Christ, because every ministry models
faith, grace, trust, and mutual submission, and intentionally
affirms each person’s gifts and strengths.)
Proverbs 16:28, A perverse man stirs up
dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
1 Corinthians 10:24, Nobody should seek his
own good, but the good of others.
Galatians 5:24, Those who belong to Christ
Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and
desires.
James 3:17-18, But the wisdom that comes from
heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate,
submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and
sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of
righteousness.
Romans 15:5-6, May the God who gives
endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among
yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one
heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
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10. A Quote Note on Ekkleesia
“When
we come to the New Testament, we discover that ekkleesia is used
of the community of God's people some 109 times (out of 114
occurrences of the term)... First, predominantly ekkleesia (both
in the singular and plural) applies to a local assembly of those
who profess faith in and allegiance to Christ. Second, ekkleesia
designates the universal church (Acts 8:3;
9:31;
1 Corinthians 12:28;
15:9; especially in the later Pauline letters,
Ephesians 1:22-23;
Colossians
1:18). Third, the ekkleesia is God's congregation.” (1 Corinthians 1:2;
2 Corinthians 1:1; etc.). (Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology)
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